Background
John Harpur-Crewe was the son of Sir George Crewe, 8th Baronet who had married in 1819 Jane Whitaker, daughter of the Review Thomas Whitaker, Vicar of Mendham, Norfolk.
John Harpur-Crewe was the son of Sir George Crewe, 8th Baronet who had married in 1819 Jane Whitaker, daughter of the Review Thomas Whitaker, Vicar of Mendham, Norfolk.
He served as a High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1853. John was one of six children. The Harpur-Crewe"s family seat was at Calke Abbey, a house rebuilt by his ancestor Sir John Harpur, 4th baronet in 1701-1704.
John Joseph Briggs, a local historian tells how 400 people signed an address to Sir John on the occasion of his eldest becoming 21.
The address had been prepared by the local printers. Twenty people presented the paper.
Sir John made a prepared speech as he complained of poor health. The party afterwards was not attended by Sir John, however he did arrange for two cygnets to be delivered for the festivities.